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First American Internet Addiction Treatment Center

An anonymous reader writes "Taking their lead from China, two Americans have opened the first US-based Internet Addiction treatment center in Fall City, Wash. — ironically close to Redmond (Microsoft's hometown). The center, called reStart: Internet Addiction Recovery Program, is a 45-day treatment center where, for a steep set of fees, people can be cured of their addiction to the Web. After paying the $200 application fee, addicts are charged $14,500 for the 45 days, an additional $800 for a screening, and more for extra services, like kayaking ($1,575)."

26 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. reStart? by Flea+of+Pain · · Score: 2, Funny

    Shouldn't they have called it reboot? Just sayin'...

    --
    Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
    1. Re:reStart? by mcgrew · · Score: 2, Funny

      No, reboot comes before restart. Reboot's when you kick yourself in the ass for being stupid, before you actually do something about it.

    2. Re:reStart? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      No, reboot comes before restart. Reboot's when you kick yourself in the ass for being stupid, before you actually do something about it.

      What, you mean like paying somebody to beat you to death?

  2. That would cure me... by Anarchduke · · Score: 5, Funny

    No wonder they cure Internet addiction, after paying 15 grand, you couldn't even afford dial up.

    --
    who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
    1. Re:That would cure me... by xaxa · · Score: 4, Funny

      You know what they say about a fool and his money...

      I'd best Google it, just to be sure...

  3. Those telco companies don't know where to stop by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 3, Funny

    People will now have to pay monthly fee for not being connected to the Internet as well?

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
    1. Re:Those telco companies don't know where to stop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      A altered quote from the movie Half Baked:

      Thurgood: I'm here today because I'm addicted..to the internet.
      Rehab patient: You in here 'cuz of the internet?! Man, this is some BULLSHIT!
      Bob Saget/Cocaine addict: The internet is not a drug. I used to suck dick for coke.
      Rehab patient: I seen him [do it]!
      Bob Saget/Cocaine addict: Now that's an addiction, man. You ever suck some dick to get on the internet?
      Thurgood: No, I can't say I have.
      Bob Saget/Cocaine addict: I didn't think so.

  4. SWEET! by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can I sign up online?

  5. Brilliant! by Angst+Badger · · Score: 4, Funny

    I must give a nod to this highly creative solution to net addiction: charge the victim so much money they can afford neither a computer nor a net connection! The elegance of the solution is awe-inspiring.

    --
    Proud member of the Weirdo-American community.
  6. Kayaking? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm surprised it's not just a room full of prostitutes and an all you can eat plan for a week.

  7. Re:money by EggyToast · · Score: 2, Funny

    Seems like it would be a lot cheaper to simply go 45 days with no internet access.

  8. Re:Website? by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Probably the attendants will keep everyone informed about their progress on Twitter, and afterwards blog about their success, and maybe even put some videos on YouTube about how they are no longer internet addicts.

    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  9. I have my own internet addiction treatment center by Wireless+Joe · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's called my back yard. The director? My wife. Both are very effective.

  10. So... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

    How much does a fatal beating go for? Are the prices competitive, or should I import one from china?

  11. Re:Website? by rehtonAesoohC · · Score: 4, Funny
    Oh man, I found this HILARIOUS:

    I had for a very extended period of time an addiction to an online game. I was very antisocial and i basically lived to play. Talking to Cosette helped me learn how to look at my addiction from another perspective. She got me to try to stop and i did. Now I am a much happier person and I have made an incredible amount of progress in my life. I have so many more friends, and I find that things come more easily to me, and I find joy in more things. Putting my life into one thing was horrible for me and now I have learned to apply myself, and I have broken my addiction. Thanks alot --Conner

    Guide to the perfect testimonial:

    Step 1: Use generalized words when talking about time. For example, instead of saying "for two years," use the term "very extended period of time."
    Step 2: Mention that you now have a new perspective due to talking with --insert name here--. Don't go into detail about what your perspective is now or what it was then.
    Step 3: Instead of detailing what steps you took to stop, just say - "she got me to try to stop and i did."
    Step 4: Claim that you are happier
    Step 5: Claim you now have bajillions of friends!
    Step 6: ?????
    Step 7: Profit!

  12. Internet Addiction by lobiusmoop · · Score: 4, Funny
    --
    "I bless every day that I continue to live, for every day is pure profit."
  13. Why is this tagged with... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... 'shakawhenthewallsfell' ?

    Despite that this is a reference to one of the greatest Next Generation episodes ever, I'm not sure I see the connection.

  14. Re:Website? by eln · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have so many more friends, and I find that things come more easily to me

    Obviously, she broke his WoW addiction by getting him addicted to Facebook!

  15. Re:I wonder if... by ObsessiveMathsFreak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wonder if the beatings are free, or if you pay extra for that?

    We prefer to call them, "Physical Realignment Therapy Sessions".

    --
    May the Maths Be with you!
  16. Re:Internet Addition = Pornography Addition by Gorobei · · Score: 3, Funny

    So the program is ideal. Screw $1,500 of kayaking - think $15,000 of "exotic roleplaying." Man, this spa thing could be a winner - 45 days at a hotel-like spa with outside activities? Set it up right and Blue Cross will even pay for it.

    I am so there! Sorry, boss, I need 45 days off to cure my internet addiction - I'll be kayaking, deep-sea fishing, and TFing hookers. No prob, I hate to do it, but it's the only way to reconnect with reality. Oh, and you are paying, don't make me invoke the "Americans with disabilities" law.

  17. Definition of "addiction" for Americans by Zhe+Mappel · · Score: 4, Funny

    ad . dic . tion, n.: The state or practice of engaging in an activity that does not earn money for one's boss. See antonymns at "well-adjusted" and "slave."

  18. Re:Internet Addition = Pornography Addition by plopez · · Score: 2, Funny

    Pornographic images and video have the largest percentage (although it may not necessarily exceed 50%) of Internet bandwidth.

    there are other uses for the internet? ;)

    --
    putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
  19. Re:How about... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Naw, irony would be if they offered classes online.

  20. WoW has wanton use of Weapons. Who's dangerous? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Porno just teaches one repetive maneuver that doesn't scale into weapons well, unless it's a small stabbing action with a knife. WoW is giant chatroom where everyone gets together and willfully injures another single or group of people. Those 2nd-amendment kids out there all studied their rifle and handguns, were disciplined in the safe and effective usage, and acknowledge the 3 stages of boastfullness so that the would know the origin of violence and how to be peaceful and honoured societies as to not escalating most disputes to a dead end. As a result of WoW, people develop opinions, get dummer, and ackowledge a weapon as the only easy way to achieve Gain.

    And here in the United States everyone blaims the gun, even Obama, even Democrats and Republicans. Blame shallow perceptions of social interaction. Don't blame the fart, don't blame the beans, blame the undiscplined man that dealt it.

    Porno teaches a well-rounded man how to use his or her genetitals; for the shallow mind, those matters of perception are not in sight but the perception of an entertainable activity.

  21. Re:Odd by Cederic · · Score: 2, Funny

    The best treatment for this is a behavioural therapy known as CBT.

    While I concede that Cock and Ball Torture would indeed dampen my enthusiasm for online gaming I hadn't heard of it being a professional behavioural therapy option.

    At least, not that type of professional..

  22. Re:Odd by Opportunist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe it's some sort of reverse Pavlov conditioning. You know, every time you cast a spell, you get your nuts stapled to the chair or something like that.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.